Street-traffic-signaling device



` C. H. PECK.

STREET TRAFFIC SIGNALING DEVICE. APPLICATION EILED APR.I9| I9I5. KEVIIEWED DEC. 3.1919.

- Patented Mar. 9,1920.

INVENT'OR @Wma WITNEssEs www@ , C.A H. PECK.

v STREET TRAFFIC SIGNA-LING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED APR. I9, IsIs. IIEIIIwED'DEc. 3,19I9.

1,332,917. I PaIenIed Mar. 9,1920.

WITNESSES INVENTOR c. H. PECK. y

STREET-TRAFFIC SIGNALING DEVICE.

l APPLICATION FILED APR. 19 1915- RENEWED DEC. 3,1919. 1,332,917.

Patented Marf.9,`1920.

A 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

lmiuulll v WITNESSES INVENTOR l CHARLES HARRINGTON PECK, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

STREET-TEA'FEIc-SIGNALING DEv'IcE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 9, 1920.

Application led April 19, 1915, Serial No. 22,475. Renewed December 3, 1919. Serial No. 342,268.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES HARmNG'roN Pncn, of Philadelphia, in the State of Penni Sylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Street Traiiice Signaling Devices, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in street traffic signaling de-` vices, and has for its object to provide an exceedingly simple and effective device of this character, wherebya number of signaling arms or semaphores may be 'simultaneously operated to indicatey to the traiiic at the corner of two cross streets or at two traftic lanes upon the same street which direction of travel is open t0 the traiiic, and the direction or directions of travel which are during the changing of the positions of the signal arms.

' Still another object of the invention is to provide means for actuating the gears to whichthe signal arms are attached, whereby one or more of said signal arms may be operated.

A further object of the invention is to c provide a waterproof attachment for the signaling devices, whereby the traflic oihcer may be protected or housed during inclement weather.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a pedestrian signal adapted to operate in conjunction with the main traffic signal, acting as a sunshade or umbrella to protect the traiiic oflicer from the suns rays or from rain.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable traiiic signaling device, so that the same may be readily moved from place to place.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a signaling device which may be placed upon a stand, so as to be vset upon a street o'r to which may be secured suitable split brackets, so that the device may be attached to poles or posts, such as lamp posts.

VVith these ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which- Figure l, is a top or plan view of my improved street traiiic signaling device, showing` portions of some of the arms broken away.

Fig. Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 4, is a similar view at right angles to Fig. 3, showing the audible signal or gong.

2, is a section on the line ir-'B of Fig. 5, is a side elevation'. of one of the.

gong operating` arms.

Fig. 6, is a side elevation of thesignaling device, showing the pedestrian signaland the curtains for forming the waterproof inclosure.

Fig.v 7, is a fragmentary side elevation of 'the upright or standard illustrating the means of operating the pedestrian signal.

Fig. 8, is a plan view on a reduced scale of the pedestrian signal, and

Fig. 9 is a section of the standard belov. the gong showing the positions of the harnmer actuating ingers.

In carrying out my invention as here embodied 2 represents an upright or supporting standard having its lower end screwed into a stand or base 3, whereby said upright may be readily and quickly attached to or detached from said stand or base. The upright or standard 2 is provided at different points with threaded sockets 4, to which are detachably secured the split brackets or clamps R by means of threaded projections 5, carried by one of the members of the split brackets or clamps. When thesesplit brackets are used, the standl or basel?) is removed and the signaling device is attached to some object such as a pole or post by means of said split brackets R. The upper end'of the standard or uprightcarries a hea-d I, in the --ears 6 ot' which are journaled the semaphore shalts 7. 0n the outer ends of said shafts are mounted the signal arms or semaphores A, B, C and D, and on the inner ends ot these shafts are. mounted the gears E, F, (l and H. Vithin the upright or standard 2 is situated the operating shat't O journaledin the ball races P and Q, and'to this operating shaft adjacent its lower end is secured a handle S projetting through a slot t) in the standard or upright 2. said slot being ot sufcient size "to permit ay limited vertical movement ot' the handle 8 as well as the rotating movement thereof. l

Above the head l is situated a gear operating segment K arranged to rotate with the operating shaft (Y), but which is loosely mounted thereon, so that said shaft. may slide through the segmentA K. The gear operating segment K meshes with the underside of the gear H, and above this segment upon the operating sha-ft is also mounted a selective gear operating segn'lent J having' ,two gear segment arms 1() and v11, either of which is adapted to mesh with the gear F. This selective gear operating segment J is secured to the operating shat't O so as to move vertically therewith.

Above the selective gear operating segment J is situateda gear operating segment. L adapted to-rotate with the operating shaft O, but having a loose or sliding connection therewith, whereby said shaft may be moved vertically without disengaging the segment L from its gears.- Said gear operating segment- L meshes with the upper sides of the gears E and G. The last named segment is provided with a lamp holding means or socket 12, in which is mounted the lamp M adapted to rotate with the segment L, and this lamp may be ot' one solid color.

or it may have ditl'erent colors, so as to correspond with the colored glasses or spectacles N carried by the signal arm. The lamp or light M is equi-distant. trom all ot' the signaling arms, so that the rays ot' lightl from said lamp passing through the dii-ferent spectacles will be of the same intensity. The signal arms all operate in unison. and are generally moved into and out ol signal position in pairs, that is the diametrically opposite signal arms forming one pair move into signal position when the diametrically opposite signal arms forming the other pair move out ot' signal position, so that when one street is open to traliic, the other or cross street is closed to traffic.

lVhen the opera-ting handle 8 is raised, so that the arm 1l ot' the selective gear operating segment J is in mesh with the gear F, then the signal arms D and B will move out of signal position when the signal arms A and C move into signal position, caused by moving the handle 8 from side to side or rotating the operating shaft O.

If for anyv desirable reason t-he tratlic oilicer wishes one of the arms to remain stationary, while operating; the other three arms, the handle 8 is lowered to a neutral position, at which time neither of the seg- `mcnt arms 10 and-11 will mesh with the gear F, so that the signal arm connected therewith will stand still, or if it is desired. that the signal arm B be moved to a signal position. when the signal arm D.moves out ot signal' position;Y then the handle S is moved still-lower or until the segment arm 10 meshes with the gear F, thus reversing the movement ot' the signal arm B with relation to the signal arm D.-

The head l and the different gears may be inclosed by a suitable casing S shown in Fig. 4.

ln order that the trallic may be notified ol a vchange in position of the signal arms, I provide a suitable audible signal device such as a gong 13 having a spring actuated hammer 14 adapted to he operated by suitable trip levers 'l` provided with means such as a `notch or notches l5 respectively adapted to engage with one of the lingers 25 of thehammer 14 'tor swinging the same against the action ot its spring, and one ot' these fingers passes around each si'de of the standard 2 while the trip levers are pivoted to the signal arms as shown in Fig. l. These trip levers are so arranged that when the signal arms to which they are attached are lowered or moved out ot' signal position the trip lever with a certain number of notches therein `will operate the audible signal, while the other trip lever with a dilerent number ot notches therein will operate the audible signal when the arms are being raised or thrown into signal position, so thata person hearingetwo strokes ot the gongwill know that one street is being opened to trailic, while if but one stroke of the gong is heard. he will know that. the other street is being opened to traffic.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a rotatable sleeve 16 mounted upon the upright or standard 2, and to this is attached a-covei' 17 similar to an umbrella, the outer surface having designations thereon to be used as a. pedestrian signal. This cover may be used as an awning or parasol during bright sunny weather, or' it may be used as an umbrella during rainy weather. thus protecting the tratlic officer.

As a .further protection to the traffic othcer l providewaterproof walls or curtains 18 having openings therein covered with suitable transparent material 19, and these curtains may be attached to the cover or umbrella 17 in any suitable manner.

In order that the cover 17 will turn so as to display the pedestrian signal in conjunction with the signal arms, I connect the sleeve 16 and the operating handle S by means of a link 20, so that as said handle 8 is moved from side toside the sleeve 16 will rotate therewith.

It is to be understood that any combination. of different parts may be used, as for instance, the audible signal .and the pedestrian signal may be eliminated as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3, the visible 4and audible signals may be used in conjunction as shown in Fig. el, the pedestrian signal which also acts as a-cover or inclosure may be used in conjunction with. the visible signal or said pedestrian .sign-al andthe audible signal may be used in conjunction with the main visible signal. At night the signals are used in the same manner, but instead of the signal arms indicating the right of way, the. .colored spectacles will indicate to the tralic whether to stop or proceed, and since the -lamp M is arranged to rotate, the signal `,spectacles upon the signal arms may be eliminated. i

`As will be readily understood, by the use of my improved ,signaling device embodying the visible and audible signal, it is impossible to give conflicting signals, since the audible signal is operated automatically, and in conjunction with the visible signals. Where atraiiic o tHcer uses a whistle for giving audible signals, and uses somekind of a visible signal, he might blow his whistle once, meaning that traiiic is open upon one street and throw his visible signals, l'so that the trailic is ope'n upon the cross streets,

thus causing` great confusion, since because of the conflictin signals both streets are open and the tra c upon one street continues to move, while the traiiic upon. the other street begins to move, but, as before stated,

- is absolutely impossible with my imtli's prlived signaling device, for when certain of the signal arms are raised, one audible signal is given, and when the other varms are raised, a different audible signal is given.

, mounted on the inner ends of said shafts,a an

operating shaft, means fc .actuating thev same, a gear operating segment loosely mounted on said last` named shaft meshing with vone of the gears, another gear operating segment loosely ,journaled on the operating shaft` and meshing with two other of said gears'which are-diametrically opposite each other, and anothergear operating segment comprising two segment arms secured to th'e operating shaft eitherv of said segment arms adapted to mesh with another of said gears when the operating shaftis raised or lowered.

'2. A streety 'trafiic'signaling device comprising an upright, a head .carried thereby, shaft journaled in said'head, arms mounted on the outer' endsof said -shafts, gearsmounted on the inner ends of said shafts, an operating shaft, means vfor actuating the same, a gear operating segment loosely mounted yon said last named shaft meshing with one ofthe gears, another gear operating 'segment loosely journaled on the operating shaft, and meshing with two other of saidv gears which are diametrically opposite each other, another gear operating segment comprising two segment arms secured. to the operating shaft, either of said segment arms adapted to mesh with another -of said gears lwhen the operating shaft is raised or low ered, a lamp carried by one of the gear operatingv segments and-adapted to rotate therewith, and signaling" spectacles carried by the signal arms.

3. A street tratlicgsignaling device comprising an upright, a head' carried thereby, shafts journaled in said head, arms mounted on the outer` ends of said shafts, gears mounted on the inner ends of said shafts, an operating shaft, means for actuating the same, a gear operating .segment loosely mounted on said last named shaft meshing with one of the gears, another gear operating segment loosely journaled on the operating shaft and meshing' with two others of ysaid gears which are diametrically opposite each other, Vanother gear operating segment comprising two segment arms secured to the operatingshafa either of said segment arms adapted tojmesh with another of said gears when the operating shaft is raised or lowered, a lamp carried by one of the gear operating segments and adapted to rotate therewith, sgna-lingsp'ectacles carried by thel signal arms, and an audible signal actuated by the movements of vthe signal arms. l

4. A street traffic signaling device lcomprising an upright, ahead carried thereby, shafts journaled in said head, arms mounted on the outer ends of said shafts, gears mounted on the inner endsof saidshafts, an operating shaft, means for actuating the same, a gear operating segment `loosely with one of the gears, 'another gear operat-l ing segment loosely journaled on the operating shaft and meshing. with two other of said gears, `another' gear operating segment comprising two segment arms secured tothe operating shaft, either of said segment ar'ms adapted to mesh with another of'said gears mounted on said last named shaft meshing iao when the operating shaft is raised or 10W- ered, a lamp carried by one of the gear operating segments and adapted. to rotate therewith, signaling spectacles carried by the signal arms, an audible signal, and means carried by Certain of said signal arms for operating said audible signal.

5. A street traiiic signaling device comprising an upright, a head carried thereby, shafts journaled in said head, arms mounted on the outer ends of said shafts, gears mounted on the inner ends of said shafts, an operating shaft, means for actuating the same, a gear operating segment loosely mounted on said last named shaft meshing with one of the gears, another gear operat ing segment loosely journaled ori the operating, shaft and meshing with two other of said gears which are diametrically opposite each other, another gear operating segment comprising two segment arms secured to the operating shaft, either of said segment arms adapted to mesh with another of said gears when the operating shaft is raised or lowered, a lamp carried by one of the gear operating segments and adapted to rotate therewith, and signaling spectacles'carried by the signal arms.

6. A street traffic signaling device comprising a portable support, a plurality of signal arms carried thereby arranged to operate in unison, means for operating each pair of signal arms in unison, a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the upright and adapted to rotate in c` ijui'. 'tion with the raising and lowering of the signal arms, and. a pedestrian signal carried by said sleeve.

7. A street traiii'c signaling device comprising a portable support, a plurality of signal arms carried thereby arranged to op- ,erate inunison, means for operating each pair of signal arms in unison, a sleeve rotatably mounted upon the upright and adapted to rotate in conjunction with the raising and lowering of the signal arms, and a cover carried by said sleeve and adapted toV ro tate therewith, said cover acting as a protector and having indication marks thereon Vto rotate in conjunction with the raising and lowering of the signal arms, a cover carried by said sleeve and adapted to rotate therewith, said cover acting as a protector and having indication marks thereon for use as a pedestrian signal, and curtains detachably. secured to the cover, said curtains having openings therein Covered with suitable transparent material. i'

9. A street traffic Asignaling device comprising in combination a set of signal arms, means for moving said signal arms into and out of signal positions, a gong, and trip levers pivoted to certain of said signal arms, said trip levers being provided with means for sounding different signals upon said gong.

10. A street traffic signaling device comy vprising an upright, a head carried thereby,

shafts journaled'in said head, signal arms mounted on said shaftsand adapted to be raised and lowered, a gong carried by the upright, a spring actuated hammer for sounding said gong and trip levers pivoted to certain of the signal arms and provided with means for actuating the hammer.

CHARLES HARRINGTON PECK. Witnesses:

JOHN P. RYAN, JOSEPH V. WALSH. 

